Bristol Attractions for Children

(Bristol, England, UK)



There are plenty of attractions suitable for younger visitors both in and around the city, with many families placing a trip to Bristol Zoo firmly at the top of their itinerary. Tenpin bowling and multi-screen cinemas lend themselves to rainy days, as does an afternoon or longer enjoying the hands-on fun at the At Bristol attraction, where science-related activities and a planetarium are the big draw.

Weston Super Mare is to be found just over 30 minutes to the south-west of Bristol and has a number of places of interest for children, such as its SeaQuarium and revamped pier. Other popular family days out include the Avon Valley Country Park, HorseWorld, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Windmill Hill City Farm and Britain's largest gorge at Cheddar. It is even possible to drive to the Longleat Safari Park in under an hour.


Bristol Attractions for Children

Bristol Zoo and Gardens

Address: Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA, England
Tel: +44 (0)117 973 8951
Situated close to the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol Zoo makes for the perfect family day out and is called home by a sizeable collection of animals, including gorillas, monkeys, pygmy hippos, large fish, insects, reptiles, nocturnal creatures (living in Twilight World), lemurs and lions. The zoo itself opened in 1836 and is constantly working to improve its enclosures, with the Seal and Penguin Coast being a relatively recent addition and featuring extensive underwater viewing areas. In 2009, the Explorer's Creek opened, with its walk-through Rainbow Lorikeet aviary and water play area.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:30 (closes at 16:30 during the winter)
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and families, children three years old and under are free

Bristol Megabowl

Address: Brunel Way, Ashton Gate, Bristol, BS3 2YX, England
Tel: +44 (0)117 953 8538
Megabowl is situated in the Ashton area of Bristol and is always a safe bet, whatever the weather. With plenty of tenpin bowling lanes, other highlights include a large play area known as Planet Kids, which has ball pits, slides, tunnels and soft play equipment for children under 12 years old. There is also an arcade area with many of the latest video games, together with air-soccer and pool tables.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 12:00 to 23:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 23:30

Bristol Attractions for Children

Avon Valley Country Park

Address: Pixash Lane, Bath Road, Keynsham, Bristol, England
Tel: +44 (0)117 986 4929
Situated on the outskirts of Bath and close to Keynsham, the Avon Valley Country Park is around 7 km / 4.5 miles from central Bristol. This is a good choice for a sunny day, since the majority of the attractions are based outside, including riverside pathways, a large pond with rowing boats, lots of rare-breed farm animals, a miniature train and barbecue facilities. There are also some Shetland ponies, horses, llamas and wallabies, as well as a number of indoor soft-play areas.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday, Spring to Autumn - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

SeaQuarium

Address: Marine Parade, Weston Super Mare, BS23 1BE, England
Tel: +44 (0)1934 641 603
Weston Super Mare's SeaQuarium is situated close to Bristol and is located on a small pier, on the main seafront. This aquarium attraction features many different 'zones', including the Ray Zone - with friendly rays, most of which have been caught locally, Ocean Zone - with an underwater tunnel with excellent views of large sharks, Amazone - with tropical freshwater fish from South America, and the Lethal Reef - featuring some of the ocean's most deadly fish. There is also a café with a soft play area and the obligatory fishy gift shop.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 16:00 (only open at weekends from January to mid-February)
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

HorseWorld Visitor Centre

Address: Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 0QG, England
Tel: +44 (0)1275 540 173
HorseWorld is located in the Whitchurch area of Bristol, in beautiful Mendip stone farm buildings, and is surrounded by scenic countryside. The centre has a number of attractions for families, including over 30 friendly horses, ponies and donkeys, pony ride areas, animal handling, nature trails, exhibitions, a museum, a restaurant, picnic facilities and an adventure playground for children, complete with slides. HorseWorld also features a small zoo area, with ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs, chipmunks and even cockatoos.
Open hours: April to September, daily - 10:00 to 18:00, October to March - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and families

Longleat

Address: Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 7NW
Tel: +44 (0)1985 844400
Longleat is best known for its spacious safari park and visitors come here from far and wide to drive through the lion enclosure. Located next to Warminster and just under an hours' drive from Bristol, Longleat also comes with a stately house, a large lake called home by sea lions and Gorilla Island, train rides, the longest hedge maze anywhere in the world, a mirror maze and many seasonal activities. Children will enjoy whiling away the hours within the Adventure Castle, walking along the elevated pathways, zooming down the slides and playing with the fountains at the Splashpad. It is worth bearing in mind that Longleat is an expensive day out for a family, and so do arrive early to make the most of your ticket, since it is only valid for one day. In the summer, it can be especially busy, with lengthy queues at peak times.
Open hours: daily, April to early November
Admission: charge, discounts available for children



Bristol Attractions for Children

Wookey Hole Caves

Address: From Bath A39 to Wells, Wells, Somerset, England, BA5 1BB
Tel: +44 (0)1749 672243
Wookey Hole stands next to the medieval city of Wells, being roughly 35 km / 22 miles from central Bristol. The caves are the big attraction here and guided tours will take you through vast underground caverns, passing by huge stalactites and stalagmites (one of which is said to be the Witch of Wookey, turned to stone), a large lake and a stream, crossing over high bridges at times. Also onsite is a working historic paper mill, a Victorian-themed penny arcade, a dinosaur valley with picnic tables and seating, a museum displaying local artefacts, a large restaurant, a cafe serving up locally made ice cream, and indoor soft play equipment. There is even a large theatre, where seasonal shows take place.
Open hours: daily, summer - 10:00 to 17:00, winter - 10:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for children aged between four and 16 years old, children four years old and under are free

Windmill Hill City Farm

Address: Philip Street, Bristol, BS3 4DU, England
Tel: +44 (0)117 963 3252
Windmill Hill City Farm is located in the Bedminster area of Bristol, close to the city centre, and was founded in 1976. Resident animals include various chickens, rabbits, cows, goats, pigs and sheep, including a number of unusual rare breeds. There is also an adventure playground area, a family playroom for younger children, a café and a farmshop selling an assortment of organic produce.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Address: Moat House Farm, Failand Road, Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1PG, England
Tel: +44 (0)1275 852 606
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is a popular attraction for children and is located 9 km / 6 miles from Bristol, being just down the road from Failand. With more than 60 different types of animals, including camels, bison, reptiles, monkeys, meerkats and many friendly farmyard animals that children can feed, other highlights include large indoor and outdoor play areas, a food and farming exhibition, nature trails, a café and pony rides on Saturdays.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

Cheddar Caves and Gorge

Tel: +44 (0)1934 742343
Cheddar Gorge is situated 33 km / 20 miles from central Bristol and comes with two illuminated caves (Cox's and Gough's) deep beneath the towering limestone cliffs. Although these caves are now a little 'touristy', it is interesting to learn about their past uses, and in particular the small group of people known to shelter in them roughly 9,000 years ago. Other notable attractions at Britain's biggest gorge include the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, wild goats and sheep, rock climbing excursions and cream teas galore. The Cheddar Man Museum of Prehistory may also be of interest, while those feeling energetic may like to climb the 274 steps to the top of Jacob's Ladder, where a watchtower offers superb 360-degree panoramas.

Victoria Falls Adventure Golf

Address: 2 Queen's Parade, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2NJ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1225 425066
The Victoria Falls Adventure Golf course resides within the Royal Victoria Park in nearby Bath, where it features 18 holes set amidst rockeries, waterfalls and streams. The parkland and neighbouring Royal Crescent provide attractive backdrops as you move from hole to hole. Afterwards, you may like to enjoy a cup of tea or an ice cream, or head into central Bath for a spot of shopping or lunch.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to dusk
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

Other children's attractions nearby Bristol include:











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Bristol, England - Attractions for Children - Last updated 7/9/2019 - gprofile - Google+

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